Physicochemical Characterization and Determination of Trace Metals in Sugar Manufactured from Sugar Cane

Abstract

The current study is interested in determination of trace metals in sugar originated from different sources such as soil, water. The analytical technique used in the study was atomic absorption spectroscopy and the results revealed that concentration of metals found in soil sample was; 51 mg/kg Fe, 6 mg/kg Mn, 2.5 mg/kg Cu, 0.36 mg/kg Cd, 8.32 mg/kg Zn, 3.92mg/kg Cr, 5.4 mg/kg Ni, 4.08 mg/kg Co and 0.28 mg/kg Ag. Concentration of metals found in sugar sample was 0.89 mg/kg Fe, 0.28 mg/kg Mn, 0.79 mg/kg Zn, 0.88 mg/kg Cr, 0.61 mg/kg Ni, and 0.33 mg/kg Co. Concentration of copper, silver and cadmium was not detected. Concentration of metals found in effluent sample was 19.3 mg/kg Fe, 2.5 mg/kg Mn, 1.1 mg/kg Zn, 1.39 mg/kg Cr, 2.84 mg/kg Ni, 1.6 mg/kg Co and 0.05 mg/kg Cd. The physicochemical characters such as biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, temperature, electrical conductivity and pH are determined to be significant. High concentration of trace metals was determined in soil in relative to other sample and sugar sample studied is safe for consumption.